Niger Delta

Foundation Commends Breastfeeding Mothers In Bayelsa …Wants Support For Women

Published

11 months ago

August 14, 2023

The Mrs Alayingi Sylva’s Medical Foundation has commended breastfeeding mothers in Bayelsa State and called for more support for women to encourage breastfeeding in tandem with the World Health Organization (W.H.O), and UNICEF advocacy on breastfeeding.
The foundation gave the commendation while making its remarks in Gbarantoru Community of Ekpetiama Kingdom, Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state as part of activities to commemorate the 2023 International Breastfeeding Week with the theme, “Let’s make Breastfeeding and work, work!”
The owner of the foundation, Mrs Alayingi Sylva, is the wife of the immediate past Minister forState, Petroleum Resources and Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 11th 2023 governorship elections in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva.
The Mrs Alayingi Sylva’s Medical Foundation had in compliance with the UNICEF and WHO-fixed August 1-7 annual commemoration of the World Breastfeeding Day carried out a one-day event on breastfeeding advocacy to encourage breastfeeding mothers and women of reproductive age on the importance of breastfeeding, amongst other.
Highlights of the event included admonition of women on breastfeeding by the Queen of Ekpetiama Kingdom, HRM Timinipre Bubaraye Dakolo, and advocacy on breastfeeding by Dr. Inenyo Esinte.
Other highlights were presentation of gift items to participants by the Queen of Ekpetiama Kingdom.
The Tide reports that the event, which was well attended by women of the Kingdom, also saw them expressing their appreciation to the Foundation for the laudable initiative.
They appealed to the foundation to keep the momentum in its human capital development initiatives, especially women empowerment.
The foundation’s team on the advocacy programme was headed by a medical personnel, Dr. Gideon Obibi.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa.

Niger Delta

Police Rescue Kidnapped Ex-Shell Worker In A’Ibom

Published

2 days ago

June 26, 2024

The Tide

The Police in Akwa Ibom State says it has rescued a 63-year man and retiree of Shell Petroleum Company who was recently kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

The command’s Spokesperson, ASP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Uyo, the State capital.

John said the victim, who was abducted on June 17 and held hostage by his abductors, was rescued unhurt in a compound at Ikot Udobong Village in Etim Ekpo.

She said the rescue followed reliable intelligence information which prompted the Command to swing into action.

According to her, the kidnappers engaged the police rescue team in a gun duel in the process of rescuing the victim.

“Upon sighting the police, the kidnappers opened fire at them, one of the kidnappers was fatally wounded in the process while the others fled”, she said.

The police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Waheed Ayilara, had ordered the command’s SWAT operatives to immediately swing into action.

”Efforts are seriously ongoing to arrest the fleeing members of the gang for possible prosecution”, she said.

John further said that preliminary investigations revealed that the kidnappers had initially demanded N50 million as ransom for the release of their captive.

“They later agreed to take N20 million, but I tell you on good authority that no ransom was paid as at the time of the rescue.

Niger Delta

Delta C’ttee Takes Drug Abuse Sensitisation To Streets

Published

2 days ago

June 26, 2024

The Tide

As part of activities to mark the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse, the Delta State State Drug Control Committee on Monday took sensitisation campaign to streets of Asaba on dangers of drug abuse.

Members of the committee, drawn from the State Ministries of Health, Education, Justice, as well as representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Police, amongst others, converged at the Oshimili South Arcade from where they walked through some streets of Asaba.

Mrs Helen Orie, the Chairperson of the committee and Director, Pharmaceutical Services, State Ministry of Health, who led the campaign/road walk, said drug abuse was on the increase and needed to be curbed before it got worse.

Orie, speaking on the theme for the 2024 celebration: “Say No To Drug Abuse”, noted that drug abuse always had devastating effects on individuals involved, the family setting and society at large.

Orie, a Pharmacist, explained that the fight against drug abuse was in two dimensions; supply reduction, being championed at the Federal level and demand reduction, being handled by the Drug Control Committee at the state level.

She said the committee, with the support of the State Government, had recorded some successes in the prevention and control of drug abuse in the state.

According to her, we have taken sensitisation campaigns to public places, including places of worship, markets, schools and communities with significant impacts.

“Today’s sensitisation/road walk is meant to further create more awareness on the need for a drug-free society”, she said.

Orie commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his support toward the campaign against drug abuse in the state.

Also speaking, the Assistant State Commander, Drug Demand Reduction, NDLEA, Delta Command, Silas Omobude, said 14.4 million Nigerians, aged between 18 and 29, were involved in drug abuse and trafficking.

Omobude, who is also the State Secretary of the committee, said fighting the drug war was a Herculean task which required the collective effort of all critical stakeholders.

He noted that the State Government had reasonably supported the committee to record some breakthroughs.

On his part, the Chairman, Actors Guild of Nigeria, Delta State Chapter, Mr Emmanuel Onyemeziem, debunked insinuations that the Nigerian movie industry had contributed to societal ills, including drug abuse.

Onyemeziem said the guild was in partnership with the NDLEA and the Delta State Government in the war against drug abuse, and urged youths to say no to drug abuse and embrace meaningful ventures.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Urges Farmers To Adopt Good Agronomic Practices

Published

2 days ago

June 26, 2024

The Tide

Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Offiong Offor, has urged cocoa farmers in the state to adopt good agronomic practices in order to ensure improved yields.

Offor gave the advice on Monday at Odoro Ikpe, Ini Local Government Area, during the distribution of cocoa seedlings to farmers to mark the beginning of the 2024 cocoa planting season.

She disclosed that the State Government had made available over 150,000 cocoa seedlings to be distributed to cocoa farmers across the state.

The Commissioner said the distribution of the cocoa seedlings to farmers signaled a significant step to increased cocoa production and improvement of livelihoods.

“We know the current price of 1kg of cocoa in the market, it is very expensive. So, it is a wake-up call by Governor Umo Eno for all to return to the farm.

“When you receive the cocoa seedlings, make the best use of them. Do well to maintain good agronomic practices, to reap bountiful harvests.

“This year, we have provided over 150,000 cocoa seedlings to be distributed to cocoa farmers in the state. I implore you to make good use of the seedlings”, Offor said.

The Commissioner called on cocoa farmers to notify extension agents in the ministry early if they were confronted with of any challenge

In his remarks, the State Chairman, Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr Ekikere Bassey, said it was expedient for agriculture stakeholders to support the cultivation of cocoa to improve the economy of the state.

He said cocoa farming was a lucrative agribusiness, and urged farmers to show interest in the cultivation of the cash crop.